Kampala Dojo-Uganda

Essential Karate 

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Fundamental of Karate

• The Hand and Arm as Weapons

4. Haito (reverse hand sword) In this position, the thumb is tucked into the palm and it is the inner edge of the hand that is used to strike. Haito may be used from above or from the side; however, strikes thrown in this manner are weaker than those of Shuto, and therefore it is rarely used.
5. Nukite (piercing hand) In this position, the hand is held in the same manner as in Shuto except that the fingers are not separated. It is important that the fingers never be bent backwards, as serious injuries to the hand can result. The major targets are an opponent's stomach and throat. A blow to the solar plexus with Nukite will render an opponent unconscious. Another common attack point is the lower rib cage . For the greatest effect, you should aim the blow between two ribs. An expert can nearly penetrate the body with this technique. An attack to the throat will possibly cause lethal damage as this area is very soft and vulnerable.
6. Variation of Nukite In this variation, the fingers are bent slightly inwards at the first knuckles. This is used when attacking with a roundhouse blow rather than a straight thrust. It allows for greater power and lessens the danger of a hand injury. Page Top
7. Ippon - Nukite (one - finger piercing hand) Here, the index finger (forefinger) is extended forward while the other fingers are bent into the palm, and thumb bends tightly against the side of the middle finger. You thrust with this technique either with the back of the hand facing to the side or facing up. It is used to attack the eye, below the nose, the throat, or the lower rib area. For best effect, the index finger should be bent very slightly inwards.
8. Nihon - Nukite (two - finger piercing hand) Here, the index and middle fingers are extended forward, while the other two fingers are bent with the thumb touching the ring finger. Page Top
9. Keiko (chicken beak fist) Bend the four fingers at the knuckles and bring the fingertips. Then place the thumb underneath the tip of the middle finger. You strike an opponent from above or from the side using a quick snap of the wrist. The major target is the eye.
10. Oyayubi - ippon - ken (thumb fist) This is the same as the Seiken position except that the thumb tip pushes against the area between the first and second joints of the index finger, so that the first joint of the thumb sticks out. You strike an opponent with the thumb joint against the temple or below the ear lobe. CAUTION: This punch is extremely dangerous and could easily kill an opponent; therefore, use it with great care, and never make contact during practice.
11. Hitosashiyubi - ippon - ken (forefinger fist) This position is similar to the Seiken position, except that the second joint of the index finger should protrude and the thumb should press against the side of the nail of the index finger. You may attack either from above or from directly in front of an opponent. Targets are the lower rib area, beneath the nose, the middle of the forehead, and the throat. Page Top
12. Nakayubi - ippon - ken (middle - finger fist) This position is similar to Hitosashiyubi - ippon - ken except that it is the second joint of the middle finger which protrudes. The thumb pushes tightly against the area between the first and the second joint of the index finger. Attack procedure and targets are the same as for Hitosashiyubi - ippon - ken. In addition to this position, thre is also a combination of Hitosashiyubi - ippon - ken and Nakayubi - ippon - ken called Nihon - ken (two finger fist), where the second joints of both the index and the middle finger protrude. Also, there is technique known as Ryutou-ken (dragon 's head fist), where the middle finger's second joint protrudes to form the point of a triangle with the other fingers' second knuckles slightly protruding to form the triangle's sides.
13. Tettsui (iron hammer fist) For this technique, the hand is put into the Seiken position. However, here it is the meaty outer edge of the hand that is used to strike the opponent. While this is not a sharp blow, it is a heavy and quite powerful weapon. You may attack from above to strike the head or shoulder of an opponent, or beneath the ear lobe. Page Top
14. Shotei (palm heel thrust) Here, you use the heel of the hand to strike an opponent. The blow is thrust forward powerfully in a pushing motion. Targets are the face and the jaw. This technique is also used against other areas in defense. A and B. The correct stance in preparation for performing the Shotei-chudan (middle body palm heel thrust).
	A	B
15. Toho (sword peak hand) This is the wedge formed when the thumb is extended away from the rest of the hand. The target for this technique is the throat thrust forward and strike the opponent's throat strongly. Page Top
16. Heiken (flat fist) In this position, the fingers are bent at the second joints as if to make a fist but the tips do not touch the palm. It is the first joints of the fingers and the palm that strike the object. Typical targets are the ear, the cheek, the throat, and the face. CAUTION: When applied to the ear, Heiken can rupture the eardrum.
17. Koken (arc fist) This position is formed by bending the wrist forward, and placing the thumb at the base of the middle finger. An opponent is struck with the exposed outer portion of the wrist. Targets include the spleen, face, and jaw. You can attack from above, below, or from either side of, an opponent. An advanced student can also use this as a defensive technique. Note that this wrist area is very sensitive, and when practicing, you should avoid striking hard objects. Page Top
18. Hiji (elbow) The elbow is considered to be the most devastating weapon in karate. It is a very hard bone and it is close to the shoulder, which generates much of the power for a blow. The elbow is used A. Hiji strike downwards on the back of an opponent's neck. B. Hiji to the opponent's jaw from the side. C. Hiji to the opponent's stomach from the side. D. Hiji to the jaw from below. Page Top
		A
	B	C
	D
19. Kote (forearm) This is the part of the arm between the elbow and the wrist. It is most often used in defense as a block. The fist is held in either the Seiken or Shuto position. While Kote is mostly used for defense, the back forearm position may be used for striking an opponent's jaw.

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